5915 replies to this topic

[sdwright.vic]

^pfffft!

[Kungsberg]

https://www.theglobe...a-new-victoria/ I just found this article. 

^pfffft!

 

Interesting that the readers' comments section for that article has been closed, marked

"We have closed comments on this story for legal reasons or for abuse."

 

Maybe some Victorians gave some feedback that was a wee bit stronger than pfffft.

[nagel]

So 24 hours has passed and we have no Champion of Common Sense to take on the mayor? I guess tweets aren’t that reliable.

[Bob Fugger]

So 24 hours has passed and we have no Champion of Common Sense to take on the mayor? I guess tweets aren’t that reliable.

 

A flaky UVic prof?  Well, I never!

[On the Level]

They were talking about this on CFAX today and it was mentioned that if there was a candidate at this stage, it would probably be a gorilla style campaign.  There was some discussion about someone running against the bike lanes for example.  I personally don't think they would rip out the existing lanes, although if they mess up Dallas road or Wharf street bad enough, who knows;

 

 

The city will spend almost $500,000 to remove an eight-kilometre stretch of painted bike lanes along 95th Avenue that were put in less than two years ago.  "We have to make sure if we're going to design something that's high-quality and have public support, (the public) also needs to realize that they will be heard when they speak up," Knack said.

 

The city also decided Wednesday afternoon to remove lanes on 40th Avenue from 119th Street to 106th Street, and on 106th Street from Whitemud Drive to 34th Avenue.

 

http://www.cbc.ca/ne...venue-1.3142737

[Mike K.]

That’s Edmonton, btw.

And so it’s begun. You have to keep your crews busy somehow.

[nagel]

They were talking about this on CFAX today and it was mentioned that if there was a candidate at this stage, it would probably be a gorilla style campaign.  There was some discussion about someone running against the bike lanes for example.  I personally don't think they would rip out the existing lanes, although if they mess up Dallas road or Wharf street bad enough, who knows;

 

 

http://www.cbc.ca/ne...venue-1.3142737

Maybe this is a different Edmonton than the one that then put in an entire downtown protected bike network and had the mayor who pushed it be easily reelected.  

[Kungsberg]

‘Together Victoria’ (formerly Organize Victoria)

https://www.dropbox....ackage.pdf?dl=0

 

https://www.paov.ca/...toria1520038322

 

 

[VicHockeyFan]

A flaky UVic prof? Well, I never!

ya, you had us checking all day. a bust

[Bob Fugger]

ya, you had us checking all day. a bust

Sorry, mate - seemed legit.  Zero explanation or follow up Tweets from her, either.  Hardly surprised.

[AndrewReeve]

Turns out Professor Speers was talking about North Saanich: Tweet

[VicHockeyFan]

Turns out Professor Speers was talking about North Saanich: Tweet

 

booooooooooring....

[Awaiting Juno]

In the current climate - a "new face" with a reasonable and pragmatic platform, would stand an excellent chance of ousting Helps.  The danger is actually having several reasonable candidates run for mayor and splitting the reasonable and pragmatic vote.  The state of downtown alone is a good starting point for a platform - the heart of our city is in a sad state with acts of violence making headlines on a far too frequent basis.  What is shocking is that all that needs to be done is a commitment to enforcing existing laws with respect to public intoxication and trespass - and we need to quit rolling out the welcome mat to every addicted and unemployable person in Canada.  The parking situation also needs to be addressed - there needs to be more spaces, or alternatively getting around the core needs to be made easier.  If there were frequent, free shuttles, servicing the core, people probably would not mind parking a bit further afield.  I'm actually in favour of bike infrastructure and bike lanes - but how they're done might need to be revisited as they can be far more economical than they have been.  Amalgamation needs to be "on the agenda" - and Victoria needs to do a better job of working with those who live and work here, a better job of respecting the money they've been entrusted to use via our taxes.  

Edited by Awaiting Juno, 17 May 2018 - 12:08 PM.

[Awaiting Juno]

Also - I think the "residential only" spaces thing needs to end - make spaces 2 hour limits unless a resident permit is displayed.  This idea that residents own the parking on their street to the exclusion of other tax paying citizens is a bit absurd.  Can you imagine if the residents of Dallas Road made a similar demand?  They haven't.

[spanky123]

In the current climate - a "new face" with a reasonable and pragmatic platform, would stand an excellent chance of ousting Helps.  The danger is actually having several reasonable candidates run for mayor and splitting the reasonable and pragmatic vote.  The state of downtown alone is a good starting point for a platform - the heart of our city is in a sad state with acts of violence making headlines on a far too frequent basis.  What is shocking is that all that needs to be done is a commitment to enforcing existing laws with respect to public intoxication and trespass - and we need to quit rolling out the welcome mat to every addicted and unemployable person in Canada.  The parking situation also needs to be addressed - there needs to be more spaces, or alternatively getting around the core needs to be made easier.  If there were frequent, free shuttles, servicing the core, people probably would not mind parking a bit further afield.  I'm actually in favour of bike infrastructure and bike lanes - but how they're done might need to be revisited as they can be far more economical than they have been.  Amalgamation needs to be "on the agenda" - and Victoria needs to do a better job of working with those who live and work here, a better job of respecting the money they've been entrusted to use via our taxes.  

 

Good points AJ. In addition I would add holding the 60+ homeless agencies accountable. If they can't come up with a way of indicating how many beds they have available then strip them of their funding until they do. It would take less than 48 hours to have 100% compliance. Once we know that we have beds available on an ongoing basis then we have the legal authority to end camping on City property. Don't like it well then here is a ticket back to where you came from. If you want a free room and board in one of our facilities then you need to do something in return. Either you get treatment for your ailment, attend work training so that you can get a job, you get a job, or here is the ticket back to where you came from.

 

Some tough love and we will reduce demands on our social agencies, reduce crime in the downtown core and then start to be able to live within our means at City hall. Helps' promise that opening up our wallets would save us $60K a year per homeless person has been pure BS. 

Edited by spanky123, 17 May 2018 - 12:46 PM.

[Mike K.]

New residential-only designations last until 5PM, unless there’s an evening demand as well. But generally speaking beyond 5 anyone can park.

The big issue for residential neighbourhoods near a 9-5 employment centre or large business is their parking can all but disappear, leaving literally no room for residents to park their vehicles. I know I know we’ve talked about “free” parking on public roads before, but it’s a major issue when you’re dealing with a morning rush by commuters looking for free spaces and fill up residential areas. In the case of my mom’s neighbourhood it wasn’t just her block that was filling up, it was several blocks in all directions.

[punk cannonballer]

I actually don't know a single person around my age that owns property in the City of Victoria. Langford, Sooke, sure. Not Victoria. That's just your anecdote versus mine I suppose.

 

I do. Of course, they have professional degrees and are therefore bumped into the 'privileged' category and don't count.

I'm a little older than you but I grew up in Victoria, did a degree at UVic, worked until I had some money for grad school, and met my wife when she had been accepted into grad school as well. We did long distance for 3 years and then both found jobs in Calgary for more than 4 years, living in rentals, eating **** at stressful jobs and saving for a down payment for a house in Victoria. We paid just under $600k for a place in Jubilee about 5 years ago. There are still homes in Victoria for $600k but they probably don't have granite counter-tops. Of course, it also simply needs to be Victoria? Otherwise you've failed?

Here's a 3br 2ba home in the City of Victoria. It's pretty much what I paid for my house in 2011: https://www.realtor....Columbia-V8S4B9

 

What's the problem with it? Not good enough? Well, my house isn't nearly as nice as my parents' house either. But it's what I can afford.

I've had people (notably one on this blog) refer to me disparagingly as 'the homeowner class'. Sure. Are you saying it's not your fault that you've done a bachelors' degree and probably nary ventured more than a few blocks from your parents' house and you're waiting for the city to solve your problems? Why should you think you deserve something more than people who have simply worked harder, for longer, and risked more?

[VicHockeyFan]

New residential-only designations last until 5PM, unless there’s an evening demand as well. But generally speaking beyond 5 anyone can park.

The big issue for residential neighbourhoods near a 9-5 employment centre or large business is their parking can all but disappear, leaving literally no room for residents to park their vehicles. I know I know we’ve talked about “free” parking on public roads before, but it’s a major issue when you’re dealing with a morning rush by commuters looking for free spaces and fill up residential areas. In the case of my mom’s neighbourhood it wasn’t just her block that was filling up, it was several blocks in all directions.

That’s why we go instead to 2 hours except by resident permit.

[AndrewReeve]

I've had people (notably one on this blog) refer to me disparagingly as 'the homeowner class'. Sure. Are you saying it's not your fault that you've done a bachelors' degree and probably nary ventured more than a few blocks from your parents' house and you're waiting for the city to solve your problems? Why should you think you deserve something more than people who have simply worked harder, for longer, and risked more?

 

Less about the city solving the problem, more about the city not creating/exacerbating the problem. It's incredible how every time someone wants to have a reasonable discussion about increasing density and housing supply the conversation somehow devolves into talk of privilege and entitlement.

 

Not once have I said I deserve or am entitled to anything. Never asked for a hand-out. I am advocating for public policy that I genuinely believe will be best for the future of the city.

[punk cannonballer]

Not once have I said I deserve or am entitled to anything. Never asked for a hand-out. I am advocating for public policy that I genuinely believe will be best for the future of the city.

 

Sure. Keep telling yourself that, if it helps.